01/15/2013 Newsletter

Greetings from the Wine Cellar:
Winter sure has arrived in Yuma!  As I write this it’s a brisk 52 degrees here in the Wine Cellar – a little more like refrigerator temperature than cellar temperature.  But the wine will endure just fine, and I should as well.  The good news is that winter in Yuma, unlike summer, is pretty darn short.  The local forecast has us back in the 70’s by the end of the week, so you won’t have to bring a parka for the end-of-the-week wine tasting.  Maybe just a sweater…
THURSDAY & FRIDAY WINE TASTING – $10.00 to try them all, or
$10.00 for a full glass:

Erath 2011 Pinot Gris (Willamette Valley)    $14.99
An elegantly structured ‘Alsatian-styled’ Pinot Gris from Oregon, with finely etched mineral notes that frame the juicy peach and white pear flavors.  It’s deliciously crisp and refreshing – this is a great aperitif wine, and it also pairs beautifully with seafood, chicken and pasta salads.
Lockwood 2009 Grand Terroir Pinot Noir (Monterey County)
$17.99
Lockwood’s Grand Terroir is from Monterey County, the latest hotbed of excellent California Pinot Noirs.  The aromatics are reminiscent of rose petals, with a hint of mulled spices.  In the glass the flavors are full-on dark cherry, plus a brisk hint of cranberry.  This is a wine with both elegance and a true varietal character.
Bodegas Carchelo 2010 Carchelo C (Jumilla, Spain)   $14.99
A blend of Monastrell (Mourvedre), Tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon, Carchelo’s “C” is aged 3 months in new French oak before release.  The nose offers hints of cherry licorice and dark chocolate.  Rich dark cherry and plum
flavors pick up smoky, peppery accents at the finish.
Villa Cerna 2008 Chianti Classico Riserva (Tuscany, Italy)   $24.99
This dark ruby-colored Riserva opens with black cherry and violet aromas, plus subtle earth nuances.  Flavors of rich, ripe black cherries with cinnamon notes are wrapped up with smoothly elegant tannins, through a fresh and fruity yet thoroughly dry finish.
Bonterra 2009 Zinfandel (Mendocino County)    $15.99
Made only with organically grown grapes from cool Mendocino area
vineyards, this is a zesty and youthful “fruit-bomb” style of Zinfandel,
overflowing with red raspberry, cracked pepper and spicy licorice flavors.
Saracina 2007 Syrah, Rodgers Creek Vineyard (Sonoma Coast)    $27.99
This Syrah exudes an expressive nose of blackberry, peppercorn, olive and fennel.  The palate is supple and pliant yet deeply pitched, with finely integrated acidity that enlivens deep blackberry, licorice and smoked
meat flavors.  It offers a distinctly extroverted, “textbook” style of Syrah that finishes with attractive sweet persistence.
NEW ARRIVALS:
Zilliken 2011 Butterfly Riesling (Mosel Valley, Germany)    $16.99
Zilliken’s Butterfly is a superb introduction to Mosel Riesling, offering classic aromas of mixed citrus fruits mingling with an almost stony quality.  It’s balanced and medium-dry on the palate, with ripe peach and zesty lime flavors that mingle on the bracing finish.
Newton 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley)    $22.99
This Napa Cab shows expressive aromas of spicy black cherry and ripe blackberry, with light hints of cedar and mocha.  The mouthfilling flavors of juicy black and red fruits laced with clove and allspice, hang on through the lengthy finish.  Silky, ripe tannins structure the wine and contribute to a smooth, plush texture on the palate.
La Mano 2009 Mencía Roble (Bierzo, Spain)    $9.99
Northwestern Spain’s native Mencía grape produces medium-bodied, spicy reds with an alluring mix of rose petals, cracked pepper, roasted red pepper and berry fruit.  The La Mano Roble was aged three months in American oak to provide a bit more depth and complexity.
Cheers!

Mike Shelhamer
Old Town Wine Cellar
265 S. Main Street, Suite E
Yuma, Arizona  85364
928-373-0405

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http://www.yumawine.com